OBITUARY FOR SALEMA BISHOP

Salema (Stomboly) Bishop, of Warrensburg, MO (formerly of Lexington) passed away
peacefully on March 3, 2023 at the age of 94 surrounded by loved ones in her home.
Salema was born to Isaac and Najla (Bushakra) Stomboly during a terrible snow storm. This
was a foreshadowing of a strong willed woman who knew how to leave an impression and was
loved by many.

The daughter of a Lebanese immigrant, she was proud of her heritage, passing along
Lebanese recipes and traditions to her family. She loved nothing more than having a house full
of family and friends and enjoyed sharing stories and antics (of which there were many).
In May of 1950, Salema married Robert Edward (Bob) Bishop, a marriage that lasted 51 years
until Bob's death in 2001. The relationship between these two set the standard for a loving
marriage. They lit up when the other was in the room, demonstrated that it was possible to
disagree without being disagreeable, and set an example of a home filled with love and
laughter.

Salema balanced work and family long before it was a hot topic. She was an office manager at
the Lexington Hospital, yet never missed a class party or field trip.

She volunteered as a lector in church and served as president of both the Altar Society and the
local PTA. Salema loved traveling, sewing, gardening, oil painting, and ballroom and square
dancing where she made many friends. She enjoyed outdoor adventures such as tennis,
horseback riding and swimming - even into her eighties.

Salema was preceded in death by her husband Robert Edward (Bob), her parents Isaac and
Najla Stomboly, three of her brothers: Elyes, Ameen, and John Stomboly, her son-in-law Jim
Simmons, and sisters-in-law Darlene Harris, Naomi (Charles) Milner, and Doris Stomboly. She
is survived by her children Susan Tharp (John), Mary Ann Simmons, Robert Edward Bishop, Jr.
(Carolyn), Steve Bishop, and Don Allen who had become like a son; 7 grandchildren: Rachel
Miles (Brian), Dawn Thurnau (Jason), Julie Davis (Paul), Alicia Darnell (Benjamin), Brian Bishop
(Amber), Kyle Bishop (Dani), Jared Bishop (fiancée Heather); 17 great grandchildren: Luke
Miles, John Miles, Claire Thurnau, Ian Miles, Isaac Darnell, Megan Miles, Oliver Bishop, Anya
Darnell, Mia Davis, Damien Darnell, Nora Bishop, Brodie Bishop, Olivia Davis, Harper Bishop,
Jack Bishop, Lola Bishop; Callahan Bishop; her brother Joe Stomboly (Clara), and numerous
nieces and nephews who will miss her greatly.

Salema was a vibrant woman who loved colors and would enjoy seeing bright hues at her
funeral. Visitation will be at Sacred Heart Church, 300 S. Ridgeview Dr, Warrensburg, MO on
March 14, 2023 at 10 a.m., followed by Memory Sharing at 10:45 a.m. and a Mass of Christian
burial at 11 a.m. with lunch immediately following. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial
contributions to St. Peter's School in Marshall, MO or Sacred Heart Church in Warrensburg,
MO.